Two arrested for blackmailing Delhi policemen

Cops are often accused of extorting money. But a Delhi gang turned the tables and had been blackmailing the men in khaki for the past few days. Pushp Kumar Sharma, 38, and Pankaj Kumar, 35, were caught last week trying to extort money from head constable Rishi Rose in the posh Vasant Vihar area of south Delhi.

Sources said the accused used to fake road accidents and call police. “When a police party used to arrive at the site, they would say they did not want to lodge a complaint and would prefer paying the damages, instead. Later, they would seek change for Rs500 or Rs1,000 from the cops, film them from a distance and start blackmailing them after a few days for bribery,” deputy commissioner of police HS Dhaliwal said.

The accused were caught at a market in south Delhi where they had come to collect ransom from Rose. After they contacted him demanding Rs10,000, Rose informed his seniors, who suggested he register a complaint and trap the gang.

He was tricked by the two on October 21 saying they had met with an accident near ITT gate. When police reached the spot, they found that a motorcycle had hit a car from behind, damaging its tail light.

“The duo gave a written application saying they didn’t want to register a case and would pay the damages. Later, Pankaj Kumar sought change for Rs500 from Rose and caught him giving it on a hidden camera,” Dhaliwal said.

Investigations revealed the accused were also regularly blackmailing another constable posted in Lodhi Colony and a sub-inspector at IP extension.